My article that was published in the Tattoo, Art, Lifestyle and Culture Magazine, Post Modern Ink. Issue 5 Autumn 2010.

You need only but glance down the trendy lane ways and streets of today to observe the modern pin up, decked out in her finery, she can be seen with her cherry red lips that match her patent pumps, her high waisted wiggle skirt, corseted top and a frosting of tattoos. 

This juxtaposition of old world femininity with the hard edge of tattoos may seem an unlikely pairing, but is in fact, a new form of, dare I say it feminism.

Although some people may align feminism with angry, hairy, man hating women with the doctrine of ‘dress for comfort, not for style, I believe that women, if they choose to can actually like men and also care about their appearance whilst still being a  feminist. I know this, because I am one of them. In an age where individuality reigns supreme, and with the ‘apparent’ equality of the sexes and freedom from gendered attire, women and men should be able to choose what they wear, whether it be dresses, pants or roller skates. Lipstick and high heels are not the evil enemy taking down the credibility of women, pin up modeling may be following the style from the 40’s and 50’s where many people think that the clothes of the day were more restrictive and gendered. However,  I hasten to point out, as may be a surprise to some people, that the genre of pin up modeling has long been recognized alongside the history of feminism and is synonymous with the emergence of the new modern woman. Although the term pin up dolls comes out of its most popular times during the second world war where homesick troops would pin up the latest ‘paper doll’ from the various mens magazines,pin up was actually born out of the burlesque era in the 19th century, when the burlesque queens posed for the popular postcards sold as memorabilia. These performers were idolised,by both men and women alike. For women, they represented a desirable and yet un-tangible desire, of independence and sexuality, that seemed so far removed from their strict gender roles and duties. The pin up era showed the world that their could be a negotiation of the gender constructs and that women were more than their at home responsibilities.

To bring this notion of feminine empowerment and individuality from the pin ups gone by to today, many contemporary burlesque and pin up queens are also tattooed. This new form of body modification on women adds another dimension to the rebellion against societies push for the gendered status quo.

 The art of tattooing as many are aware, has multiple origins and has been around for thousands of years as a form of social communication. In our western world, tattooing has long been associated with men, criminals and sailors, a tough and rough stamp certainly not thought to be a procedure that ladies would or should acquire. This is why in more recent times, the majority of society is questioning why todays young women are finding the compulsion to don ink. Although the pockets of ladies in these popular scenes are linked and understand the markings, its seems to be lost and misunderstood understood by so many. I have noted many articles in newspapers in months gone by about how silly girls are getting tattooed because of peer pressure, and interviews with reformed punk princesses now pushing prams and wearing pearls, saying how stupid they were to get those chinese symbols on their hips. Well, seriously, if you aren’t prepared to have something on you forever, don’t get it, and if you are getting a tattoo to impress anyone, well then, you may as well get the word ‘idiot’ tattooed on your head. 

I believe that tattooing for many women is a form of reclaiming the body, putting the self back in  control of an ever  growing cultural society of norms and gender roles. The combination of the elegance and sassy independence of the 1950’s pin up girl, with the deviant hard edge of tattooing makes viewers think twice about stereotypes and puts women back in control of how they are to be portrayed. I personally feel that my tattoos are an extension of , if you will,  myself. If i were to wake up one day with them gone then i would fell i was in a different body. I wanted to claim my body to be my own, individual and powerful. The fact that tattooing is linked to the masculine binary and to rebellion, women with tattoos are automatically deviating from the feminine ideal characteristics and challenging society.

I won the 1st prize for the landscape section in the Temora Photography Competition!!! The topic was to reflect Temora…

my matty eating a chip beach side taipei… our adventure was bascially food related!!!

Kids playing in a back street in Taiwan… I took this on a bike ride jan 2010

the finished product!!! dadadadaaaahh!!! my pseto pasta ali style… stayed tuned xx

my favvvvooorite new broach!! isn’t it the cutest! x

My first ever interview for the ABC radio!!! it was aired in dec 09 and is about the gender pay gap that is still looming large today…

I still can’t fathom how in this day with equal education and rights that women earn less than men… mmm something we really need to be aware of and change…

xxx